MN Town Among 50 Best Places To Live For Families, New Ranking Says

MINNESOTA — The best place in Minnesota to plant roots for a lifetime is Woodbury, according to Fortune’s new ranking of the nation’s 50 Best Places to Live for Families.

In the analysis, Fortune notes that Woodbury, which has a population of 80,273 and counting, is popular for its outdoor recreation.

The St. Paul suburb was ranked 12th overall on the list.

"Look no further than the M Health Fairview Sports Center (formerly known as the Bielenberg Sports Complex), home to 18 softball fields, two ice rinks (high school hockey teams often play here), and a volleyball court," Fortune wrote.

"There are adult athletic leagues and pickleball courts throughout the city, and 170 miles of nature trails for walking and biking. Woodbury also features 3,500 acres of parkland, from Carver Lake Park and Beach to Ojibway Park. And golf lovers can practice their swing at the Eagle Valley course."

Fortune said its list reflects qualities people look for when they decide where to raise families and retire.

“A great place to live not only supports families in the present but also serves them in the long term. With a growing portion of Americans caring for both children and aging parents, more people want to live where multigenerational families can thrive,” the news outlet said.

Fortune said it analyzed more than 2,000 cities and nearly 200 data categories, which included livability, financial health, resources for aging adults, education and wellness.

The cities chosen, one for each state, are sustainable for both their youngest and oldest residents and include fast-growing suburbs and edge cities that find creative ways to improve people’s well-being, Fortune said.